World Congress on Drowning
Good afternoon:
Many of you have voiced interest in
what is taking place both within the USA and worldwide for
drowning prevention best practices. Attached for your
review and consideration are the following World Congress
on Drowning documents:
Our presentation and contribution
is reflected on pages 8 and 9 of the final program. Note
collaborative research partners. |
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Useful Links:
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Florida
Medical Association Public Health Council http://www.fmaonline.org/phys/publichealth.asp
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Nova
Southeastern University www.nova.edu/forekids Drowning
Report
Drowning Prevention Campaign Children Under Age
Five
Supporting Statement
Drowning is the #1 cause of all deaths for children ages
one to four in Broward County. Children in this age
group are at risk for drowning, especially in residential
swimming pools, because they don’t understand the potential
danger and have the ability to venture away from caregivers. Using
three layers of protection is essential to keep young children
from drowning -
- PROTECT with
barriers,
- SUPERVISE directly,
by an adult, and
- PREPARE for an emergency
The
benefit of using all three layers is that all three have
to fail for a drowning to take place. PROTECT children
from falling into a swimming pool (or other body of water)
if they wander away from adult supervision. Install
multiple barriers between the child and the water to help
prevent access to water. Barriers include four-sided isolation
pool fencing, approved safety covers and nets, and locks/alarms
on doors and windows accessible to water. SUPERVISE children
around water at all times. An adult should be close
enough to reach out and touch the child, ignoring any distractions
such as answering the phone. Communicating who has responsibility
for direct adult supervision is essential. PREPARE for
an emergency - by knowing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
(CPR) for children, having rescue equipment and a telephone
nearby, and teaching children water safety skills.
Drowning
among young children is preventable if caregivers acknowledge
the risk and consistently use all three layers of protection.
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Drowning
Prevention Awareness Study
